Blockbuster: Tigers trade Prince Fielder to Rangers for Ian Kinsler
In a stunning trade of big-money All-Star players from perennial playoff clubs, the Detroit Tigers have dealt first baseman Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers in exchange for second baseman Ian Kinsler, a move that gives both teams a significant facelift and also flexibility.
The Tigers will also send $30 million to the Rangers, a high-ranking club official with knowledge of the deal confirmed.
Fielder, 29, completed just two of the nine seasons of his $214 million deal he signed with the Tigers before the 2012 season. He gave them two productive seasons – hitting 30 and 25 home runs, while producing an .878 on-base plus slugging - but he wilted in the playoffs. Fielder produced just two extra-base hits in five playoff series as the Tigers won the 2012 pennant and came within two wins of a second consecutive World Series appearance in 2013.
The Tigers now will supplement $4.29 million of his salary annually for the final seven years.
"Obviously, a very exciting trade for us in adding Prince Fielder to the organization," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said during a conference call. "Also a tough trade to make in that Ian Kinsler's been with the organization since he was drafted in '03, and we've signed him here a couple of times. Been here, a catalyst for our World Series clubs, and a huge part of this. A winning guy, a heart-and-soul guy, and Detroit got a tremendous player and person.
Daniels acknowledged the deal came together quickly; Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski pitched the idea Tuesday, and it picked up momentum Wednesday.
"A huge focus for us this winter was finding some kind of middle-of-the-order presence and power, and at 29 years old, I still think there's still a lot of big run production and years ahead of him," Daniels said.
"We have gone through a variety of scenarios, some more realistic than others. This is something that we had touched on. We hadn't delved deeply into it until yesterday and it picked up speed from there."
In its aftermath, both clubs have much internal and external jockeying ahead.
Fielder's trade enables Detroit to move Miguel Cabrera – who won two AL MVPs in Fielder's tenure – back to first base, while freeing up money to retain reigning Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, a free agent after 2014.
Looking ahead another year, it also clears money to re-sign Cabrera, whose eight-year, $152.3 million deal expires after 2015.
Kinsler, 31, is entering the second season of a five-year, $75 million deal that runs through 2017. He'll fill a gaping hole for the Tigers at second base.
Kinsler's departure also saves Texas, at second base anyway. Top prospect Jurickson Profar will take over for Kinsler, giving the Rangers a low-salaried replacement up the middle.
"If you put Kinsler's bat at the top of the lineup, that's an instant threat," new Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "It changes the dynamic, but it doesn't mean it's any less potent."
And the move ensures the Tigers will remain among the most active players this offseason. They now must find a third baseman – uber prospect Nick Castellanos may not be quite ready – and losing Fielder's $24 million salary in 2014 gives them more flexibility to pursue a high-end closer.
Contributing: Bob Nightengale
GALLERY: BLOCKBUSTER MLB TRADES
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Blockbuster: Tigers trade Prince Fielder to Rangers for Ian Kinsler Updated at :
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Thursday, November 21, 2013
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